Audi Q7 v Merc GL

Spie

Spie

Spie

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As the ozone layer appears to be healing over OcUK I'm in the market later this year for a big 4x4. Nothing silly like a Hummer but something with serious capacity.

Despite my opening line I don't want a petrol gas guzzler, but also don't want an average diesel. The Q7 needs a bigger diesel lump and the 4.2 V8 from the A8 would be ideal, but no confirmation yet.

Not sure about the GL. It looks brutish and it's big, but it's a Merc and they aren't what they used to be, or are they?

Any opinions or alternatives?
 
Merc appear to have made serious attempts to rescue themselves over the last few years.

GL is pretty much a longer wheelbase ML though - it's primarily designed for the US market and I'm not entirely sure whether it would really be that much better than the new ML over here.

Q7 - I know nothing about aside from the fact it hasn't received glowing reviews from the press.

As for alternatives - it would appear the Range Rover is still absolute top dog, and despite the oxymoron style name the Range Rover Sport is also a VERY good car indeed. Near top of the class if not class leader, the only big disadvantage is that the diesel engine is only 3 litres and as a result does not offer blistering performance. Petrol engine range is excellent, however.

I take it you need a large 4x4 for the towing capacity otherwise I'd suggest a BMW 535d Sport Touring as an exceptional every-day car - basically, a more sensible yet still rapid version of your M5. Brilliant towcar as well but obviously the lighter weight than the 4x4's limits your max towing weight.
 
I have no opinion of the Audi or Merc. What happened to the Toe Rag?

I am a little biased, but have you tried the new Grand Cherokee? the 5.7 Hemi is very nice. Well specced, quick for its class, and a good size, and if I recall one of the best towing weights in its class as well.
 
How about one of the Overfinch Range Rovers? I've had a quick look on their site and spotted this:

http://www.overfinch.co.uk/?node_id=1.3.3&vehicle_id=23

It looks a bit 'drug dealer' but there are bound to be more subtly styled versions around with the same engine. I don't know how Overfinch work but from what I can see they seem to build bespoke vehicles designed to the customers specification.
 
Spie said:
5.7 Hemi drinks fuel like it's going out of fashion.
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Nothing worse than a RR sport from my experience. Unless the better half has the non supercharged version? When I had a 5.7 for a few days, I averaged 18mpg and I had quite a bit of fun in it. What about the 4.7ltr version, I am not sure they still do it in the revised model, but its the engine I have in my Jeep, stupendous and ave 22-23mpg.

What about getting a petrol and converting to LPG, not only is the fuel 1/2 price, but you can feel happy that you are being a friend to the ozone over Stoke
 
Love the way Fox still has to pimp a BMW 535D, even though Spie is after a 4x4, and not an estate, haha.

The rest of what Fox said though is spot on, the best 4x4 out is the Range Rover 'Sport',

What are your main reasons for a 4x4 ? Off loading ? To fit stuff in ? Towing ? Dropping the little one's off at school ? e.t.c

What did you find wrong with the RR Sport ?
 
Spie said:
Mrs Spie has an RR Sport. Not for me.
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Saw the RR Sport parked outside OcUK the other day. I did wonder.

You need something a bigger anyway, you cant have a Mrs with a larger engine.

Id prefer the Audi offering over the Merc, but what Fox has said it right. Not so good reviews :( Personally in 4x4 territory I'd go for a Bowler Wildcat and fly the flag, but thats too extreme for what you need :)
 
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looked at any of the american lumps?

cadillac escalades are awesome and rare over here, or a navigator?

my personal choice would be a cayenne turbo
 
Some good suggestions, but it has to be a big diesel. It's the torque you see. I can't get enough. Great for towing too. Even big diesels are miles more economical than powerful petrol lumps.

Wouldn't have a Cayenne. Pig ugly and gawdy compared to the Touareg.

Saw a Lava Grey Q7 with S-Line trim the other day and it was stunning. It's one of those cars that doesn't suit bright colours.

Oh, Mrs Spie has the V6 Diesel RR Sport. Perfectly capable engine, but not enough grunt for me. Also the electronics were designed by an imbecile. Other than that, nice car.
 
Spie said:
Oh, Mrs Spie has the V6 Diesel RR Sport. Perfectly capable engine, but not enough grunt for me. Also the electronics were designed by an imbecile. Other than that, nice car.
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I had the v8 supercharged version, I've heard its a substantially different car/tank compared to the rest of the new RR's. I personally hated it and you would have course look like "his and her's RR's" :D but dunno if its at least worth a test drive.

as you dismissed the cayenne I'd wheel in reserve fav which is the 4.8is X5

for the record im ignoring your diesel fetish :p
 
Spie said:
Some good suggestions, but it has to be a big diesel. It's the torque you see. I can't get enough. Great for towing too. Even big diesels are miles more economical than powerful petrol lumps.

Wouldn't have a Cayenne. Pig ugly and gawdy compared to the Touareg.

Saw a Lava Grey Q7 with S-Line trim the other day and it was stunning. It's one of those cars that doesn't suit bright colours.

Oh, Mrs Spie has the V6 Diesel RR Sport. Perfectly capable engine, but not enough grunt for me. Also the electronics were designed by an imbecile. Other than that, nice car.
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Well if you are looking at the Q7 diesel, why not try the Grand Cherokee 3.0D, MORE torque!
 
I think the Q7 definately wins looks wise:

Audi.jpg


Compared with:

gl_class.jpg


Mercedes reliability is still supposed to be horrendous at the moment. A friend of a relative had a brand new E-Class and the body panels started to rust. :eek:
 
FakeSnake said:
Well if you are looking at the Q7 diesel, why not try the Grand Cherokee 3.0D, MORE torque!
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For now. 4.2 V8 TDI puts out 323BHP & 480ft/lbs :D
 
adwhitworth said:
Mercedes reliability is still supposed to be horrendous at the moment. A friend of a relative had a brand new E-Class and the body panels started to rust. :eek:
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I can't obviously name names here but I have very good contacts in the Merc network & some of the horror stories they tell me are quite frankly unbelievable for what is supposed to be a "premium quality" brand, Body rust is very common on most C & E class btw.
 
Spie said:
For now. 4.2 V8 TDI puts out 323BHP & 480ft/lbs :D
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and i suspect nearly twice the price ;)

Each to thier own I guess, I have one question. Do you actually have a use for all the torque you desire?

Personally I think the Q7 and the Merc in the pics above just look like estate cars with jumped up suspension. Are you looking to replace the Toe Rag, or just fancy a new car. Because neither of the 2 cars mentioned are in the class of the Toe Rag.
 
Sold the Touareg last year.

What do I need the torque for? I love it. It's completely addictive. Great for towing too.
 
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